It seems like what I wanted to write next was elusive and I have also been busy. Too busy, in fact, and when I finally took time to decide I was going to get on here and put up a post, I was always too tired to do any actual writing. So, Facebook got the majority of my time, and I shared different things that kept popping up. One thing I noticed over several days was a common theme. The theme kept reminding me that it is important to rest.
I get it
After several posts about taking time to rest the body, mind, ect I finally had to say “Ok God, I get the point.” I let my body relax and I lounged and worked on a cross stitch. (Obviously I could have also been thinking of what I wanted to write to share on the blog too, but that required brain power, and I was fresh out of that for a moment.)
But then, I realized, I already had my next topic…Rest. That’s right. Rest. Everyone needs to take time to rest their mind, body and soul a little bit. While it should be each day, how often do any of us really take the time to do so? There’s kids to get to school, household chores to be done, meals to cook, work to go to… the list continues. As for me, I found myself getting too exhausted from my new part time job that I was so wiped out, I couldn’t get anything else done. I would come home and the next day I could barely move. I decided it was time to cut down my days.
Background Info:
Now, I know some of you are probably thinking that a part time job couldn’t be very tiring. I’m here to say the opposite. In fact, many people (I would say the majority) that have an immune deficiency struggle with the body being fatigued on a daily basis. Our bodies struggle to perform like an average person on a daily basis and battling fatigue is just one of them. Then, add the lung issue, TBM, on top of that, I feel like there are days I can’t get enough oxygen even though my O2 stats are “fine”.
Those of us with compromised immune systems are more likely to get fatigued during the “normal” daily activities. It’s frustrating to know that while some people can work the 40+ hours a week, some of us struggle with making it 10-25 hrs a week. As for myself, I need a day in between and force myself to not do anything. If I do, I get even worse. Thankfully, I have my family to remind me to “sit down. Let your body rest.” And also, a dog who I think is actually an unspecified service dog. He will jump in my lap and lay down, forcing me to sit for awhile. Not your average lap dog size either, as he weighs about 50 lbs. In fact, the vet said he is too big to be a lap dog. I beg to differ.
What am I getting at?
The point I am trying to make is that everyone needs to be able to rest. That includes even when you are on vacation. In fact, I would even argue ESPECIALLY on vacation.
Prior to our recent trip to Disney, I had done my research and someone in my support group recommended to take breaks in the afternoon. I did not realize how true that would be. It was early mornings and late nights the entire trip. And while it was fun, it was also very tiring. For everyone. There is so much to see and do that nobody wanted to miss out on any of it. Especially for my family because we had never been there before.
However, I quickly learned that nap times in the afternoon was essential. I would get so wore out and so tired (yes, even with sharing a scooter) that it became a needed break. I would go back to the room shortly after a lunch break and I gladly forfeited whatever lightning lane I had. And I would sleep! I often fell asleep right away and slept until the alarm went off, waking me up to get ready for our family dinner at night.
I would get up, go to dinner and then found myself ready for bed by the time we got back that night and would sleep hard until the next morning when the alarm went off again. My body did not keep up. In fact, my mom, who thought for sure she would need to go rest during the day when I did, “OUT-RAN” me. Yep, she stayed in the parks all day long while I went to the room and rested.
Why It’s Needed
The one day I decided not to go at my typical time frame, I guess I got pretty cranky. I think they called me a grizzly bear. To put it nicely. Unfortunately, they were right. I get really cranky and apparently mean when I get overtired and run down. (Yes, I know, much like a toddler to my chagrin). I left shortly after they pretty much demanded I go lay down for a while. I am not sure to this day whether it helped or not.
The point is, take breaks. No matter the activity or type of vacation you are taking, you still need breaks. Your body needs time to rest, and vacation can be more work that if you were at home. So take some self care and take those breaks. Nap, lounge whatever you chose to do. Each individual is different and has different limitations. However, it’s important to take time to rest no matter your the limitation is.
Take a day to sight see. Then take a day to rest, or sleep in. When I go back to Disney World, I can tell you exactly what I plan on doing. Yes, you will miss things you won’t want to. I know I did. But I also didn’t want my body to give out completely while on vacation.
Take a day to travel and get to the destination. Then take a rest day. Trust me, no matter where you are at for vacation, there will always be something to see by just relaxing and taking a break. Sleep in, enjoy the coffee while it’s still hot… take in the view. No trip is worth self-sabotage by going to beyond the max every day. It doesn’t make for an enjoyable trip, for either you or your loved ones. Instead, think of it as simply a part of the traveling experience.
